Blast furnace apparatus



June 12, 1934.

J. B. HENRY 1,962,593

BLAST FURNACE APPARATUS Filed Sept. 15, I932 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 J5 Ji 24 2 1% I INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y5 aw/i Jun 12, 1934.

J. B. HENRY BLAST FURNACE APPARATUS Filed Sept. 15/1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR. my

ATTORNE June 12, 1934. J HENRY BLAST FURNACE APPARATUS Filed Sept. 15, 1,932 3 Sheets-Sheet l5 INVENTOR. M L? -%1/ W/77Y55555 g m/(41w, WA TWS Patented June 12, 1934 BLAST FURNACE APPARATUS John B. Henry, Aspinwall, Pa. Application September 15, 1932, Serial No. 633,227

5 Claims.

My invention relates to blast furnace apparatus and particularly to water cooled units for blast furnaces such as tuyres, bosh plates, mantle plates and monkeys.

The subject matter of the present application is closely related to that of my copending applis cation Serial No. 558,245, filed August 20, 1931, of whitch the present application is a continuation in par One of the chief objects of my invention is to provide blast furnace units of such construction as to render them especially resistant to deterioration or destruction resulting from the melting or burning or abrasion of the exposed inner ends or nose portions thereof.

A further object of my invention is to provide in apparatus of the character described above a construction and arrangement that will materially increase the rate at which heat is transferred from the nose portions of units exposed to the heating of blast furnaces to water circulating in cooling chambers adjacent thereto.

A still further object of my invention is to provide blast furnace tuyres and the like that are composed of a metal or an alloy having the characteristic of high heat conductivity and having a solid nose portion of relatively great length and thickness whereby the danger of cooling water entering the interior of the blast furnace is greatly reduced.

In the operation of blast furnaces the level of molten metal is normally maintained below the portions in which water cooled units such as tuyeres, bosh plates, mantle plates and monkeys are employed, but molten metal may come in contact with the tuyeres and other units by reason of the splashing of molten iron such as may be caused by slips within the furnace or explosions that may occur.

In addition to the causes stated above molten iron emerging from the fusion zone may drop upon the nose of the tuyre or other units and if such molten iron remains for any considerable period it may form an alloy with the bronze or copper of the tuyre or other units, and thus result in rapidly melting of the tuyere at such point. In case the outer wall of the nose or forward portion of the tuyre or other unit has deteriorated to such degree that leakage of the circulating water may occur the situation may be dangerous because of the explosive effect caused by the introduction of water into the interior of the highly heated blast furnace.

heretofore to employ in the nose portions of tuyeres a refractory material that is partially confined or encased by the metal walls of the tuyre. However, such expedients have not proven entirely satisfactory because said walls being light and thin are not maintained at a sufficiently low temperature by the circulating cooling water to prevent rapid deterioration resulting from burning thereof.

In accordance with the present invention I provide blast furnace units of the character described above with means for conducting the heat of the nose portion to the circulating cooling water adjacent thereto with such rapidity that the temperature of the nose portions is maintained sufficiently low that deterioration is very materially reduced. This effect is produced by the provision of one or more elements that are integral with the nose portion or the body portion of the tuyre and project into the cooling water circulating through the tuyre. By this means I greatly increase the area of the surface of metal in contact with the cooling water. The rate at which heat is transferred is approximately proportional to such area.-

In addition to increasing the area of contact surface of the metal of which the tuyere is composed I employ metal such as copper, bronze or other alloy or other metal of high heat conductivity and the provision of such material very materially increases the rate at which heat is conducted from the portion of the nose that is exposed to the heat of the interior of the blast furnace and accordingly prolongs the life of the apparatus. v

When metal of high heat conductivity is employed it is possible to provide a nose that is relatively long and heavy in association with integral cooling elements which project into the cooling water because the rate at which heat is conducted 9 from the extreme inner portion of the nose back to the cooling element or elements for transfer to the cooling water is such as to prevent .the nose from reaching a temperature which will cause its deterioration.

While I have specifically referred to tuyeres in the foregoing statement of constructional features and operating advantages it will be understood that tuyeres have been employed for illustrative purposes since the same features and advantages are obtained in respect to bosh plates, mantle plates, monkeys, and other water cooled blast furnace apparatus.

Cooling plates is the general term used in the industry to designate bosh' plates, mantle or stack plates, and similar devices used in blast furnace construction, all of which are similar to the plate hereinafter described (shown in Figs. 16 and 17). Bosh plates are inserted in the brick work forming the posh and mantle plates above in the stack proper. The nose ends of these plates are subjected to the heat of the furnace and the abrasion of the descending furnace charge and contact with molten iron.

The monkey is a device made of copper or bronze, similar in design to the tuyere, and used at the slag or cinder tap hole of the blast furnace. The slag drawn from the furnace passes through the center passage of the monkey, this passage corresponding to the air blast passage of the tuyere. The slag has slight destructive effect upon the monkey but stray molten iron frequently comes in contact with the nose thereof resulting in a hole being burned through the metal, into the circulating water space, requiring replacement of the monkey. By means of the additional cooling of the nose end of the monkey afforded by the fins or ring integral with the nose and extending into the water circulating chamber the destruction of the nose is greatly retarded. The cooling fins or ring also make it possible to increase the section of metal at the nose thus securing increased life of the device.

The details of my invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a tuyere constructed in accordance with my'invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line IIII of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a modified form of tuyere; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a further modification; Fig. 5 is an outer end elevation of the same; Fig. 6'is a longitudinal section on line VIVI of Fig. 5; Fig. '7 is a development of a portion of a section on line VII-VII of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a section similar to Fig. 6 of a further modification; Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 of a similar section of the tuyere of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is alongitudinal section of a tuyre of a further modified form; Fig. 11 is a transverse section taken on line XI--XI of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a longitudinal section of a further modified form of tuyere; Fig. 13 is a transverse cross section taken on line XIIIXIII of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a longitudinal section of a portion of a still further modified form and taken on line XIVXIV of Fig. 15; and Fig. 15 is a transverse section taken on line XV-XV of Fig. 14

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 a tuyre 1 constructed in accordance with my invention comprises a body portion 2 that is of the usual frusto-conical form and has inner walls 3 thereof defining the usual central passage 4 through which air is introduced into the furnace in the form of a continuous blast. A pipe 5 that is connected to the outer end of the passage 4 conducts air to the latter from a blower or other source of air under pressure.

The tuyre is provided with outer walls '7 that are spaced from the inner walls 3 to provide therebetween a chamber 8 through which cooling water is circulated for maintaining the tuyere and especially the nose portion 9 thereof at a sufficiently low temperature that melting of the nose 9 or connected portionsdoes not occur.

The outer end of the annular water circulation chamber 8 is provided with a closure 10 which may either be an integral part of the body portion 2 or it may be provided as a separate part and rigidly secured to the body 2 by means of bolts or screws 11 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, or

it may be attached by welding or brazing as shown in Fig 8.

Water is supplied to the cooling chamber 8 by means of a supply pipe 13 having a screwthreaded connection to an opening 14 in the closure 10 and which may, if desired, project into the chamber for a suitable distance. A pipe 15 that is similarly connected to an opening 16 in the closure 10 is preferably located diametrically opposite the opening 14 for the pipe 13. In operation, water is supplied under pressure through the pipe 13 and it circulates through the chamber 8 and returns through the pipe 15.

Located at the inner end of the cooling chamber 8 is a circular outwardly extending web 17 formed integral with the tuyere body'and which is illustrated as disposed intermediate and substantially parallel to the walls 3 and '7 of the cooling chamber. As shown in Fig. 2, the web or fin 17 is in the form of a continuous ring or annulus. The web, however, may be in the form of a plurality of separate segments 18 having a circular arrangement as shown in Fig. 3. Four segments are shown in this view but the number of segments or spaces therebetween may be varied if desired.

A heat conducting web either in the form of a continuous ring as in Fig. 2 or in the form of a plurality of separate segments having a ring-like arrangement as shown in Fig. 3 provides additional metal surface exposed to the circulating water. In view of the highly conductive character of the metal comprising the nose 9 and the web integral therewith, the latter serves to very materially increase the rate at which the transfer of heat to the cooling water is effected.

The inlet pipe may if desired, extend into the cooling chamber 8 to a point adjacent to the web 17 whereby water, at its lowest temperature, is introduced in contact with the web for insuring the most effective transfer of heat from the web and the nose portion of the tuyere.

The nose 9 which constitutes the inner end portion of the tuyere and which is projected through the furnace wall is directly exposed to the most intense heat of the furnace and it is also subject to contact with splashing or dripping molten metal, and abrasion of the descending charge. The nose 9 is of relatively great length and thickness as a result of terminating the inner end of the cooling chamber 8 at a greater distance from the extreme end of the nose portion than has been customary in prior tuyere structures. Such reduction in heat transfer surface area of the walls of the cooling chamber resulting from the reduction of the depth of the chamber is compensated for by the additional heat transfer surface afforded by web 17 or the segments 18, as the case may be.

It will be appreciated that by reason of th effective transfer of heat made possible by the tuyere structure described hereinabove, and also by reason of the high conductivity of the metal such as copper of which the tuyere is composed, it is entirely practicable to provide a relatively massive nose that is of comparatively great length and thickness. Furthermore, the hazard of the walls of the tuyre being burned or worn through at points which would permit the circulating water to enter the furnace is materiallydiminished, if not entirely eliminated.

In the modified form of tuyere disclosed in Figs. 4 to 7, inclusive, there is substituted for the ringlike web described above, two series of water bafiies or web-like partitions 20 and 21 that are formed integral with the tuyere body 22 and which are disposed in cr'ossing relation to the chamber 23. The web-like partitions 20 and 21 extend longitudinally throughout themajor portion of the length of the chamber 23 as is best shown in Fig. 7. The partitions 20 and 21 are arranged alternately, -each portion 20 extending outwardly from the inner end of the cooling chamber 23 to a point located adjacent to the inner end' of the closure 24, which point is spaced from the closure to provide an intermediate cross-passage 25 for communication between the portions of the cooling chamber located on opposite sides of each web 20. 7 Each web or partition 21, which has its outer end disposed in a plane wherein it is either abutted or closely approached by the closure 24 extends inwardly and temiinatesat a point adjacent to the inner end of the chamber 23; which point is suitably spaced relatively to the end of the chamber to provide an intermediate crosspassage26 for communication between portions of the chamber located on opposite sides of each partition 21. v

The relative anangementof the two sets of webs or partitions 20 and 21 provides that cooling water circulates through the cooling chamber 23 in a tortuous or circuitous path alternately in inwardly and outwardly directions in passing from the inlet port 14 to the outlet port 16 as indicated by arrows in Fig. 7.

When webs 20 and 21 are employed, the inlet or supply pipe preferably has its inner end terminating at or slightly projecting beyondthe inlet port 14.

In the employment of this form of my inven-- tion it is readily apparent that all cooling water admitted to the chamber 23is fully circulated in contact with the internal surfaces of the tuyere walls throughout the dimensions of the cooling chamber and that consequently, full and. complete utilization of the cooling water is effected for securing the desired transfer of heat from the tuyre body and particularly from the heavy nose of the tuyere. In addition to constituting baflies for controlling the course of the water the webs 20 which are integral with the nose of the tuyere conduct heat from the nose of the latter in .a manner similar to that described for the ring 1'7 and the segments 18 described hereinabove. i

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 8.and 9, the cover plate or closure 28 is shown as brazed or welded at 29 upon the outer end ofthe tuyere body 30. Webs 31 are integral with the closure and fit closely between the opposite walls of the cooling chamber 32. Located midway between the webs 31 are webs 33 integral with the nose 9 of the tuyere and which extend rearwardly to such distance that they constitute with the webs 31, baflies which circulate the cooling water in a. tortuous or circuitous path .as in the tuyere of Fig. 7.

The tuyere illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 differ from that of Figs; 1 and 2 essentially only in that the ring 35 is octagonal in shape and that the area of the contact surface with the cooling water is somewhat increased. It will be appreciated that the number of sides of a polygonal figure may be arranged as desired.

A web or fin such as described in connection with Figs..1, 2 and 3 may be provided in connection with a tuyre having a relatively thin nose and a construction of this type is illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. The nose 36 is relatively thin but there is provided integral therewith a web 1': that is similar to the web 17 of Figs. 1 and 2. The other details of the tuyere may be similar to those of the formshown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In this form of my invention the relatively massive nose is omitted but the distance between the cooling chamber 37 and the outer' extremity of the nose 36 is thereby greatly reduced. By reason of the employment of the web-17 for contact with the coolingwater the temperature of the nose 36 may be maintained much lower than would be the case if the web 17 were omitted. Accordingly the life of a tuyreof this type is materially prolongedby the provision of a web integral with the nose and extending into the cooling chamber.

In the form ofmy invention illustrated in Figs. 14 and. 15, the inner end of the cooling chamber 39 is provided with a series of webs 40 extending radially between the 'walls 41 and 42 of the tuyre and integral with the latter and with the nose 43. While a relatively thin section of metal is employed at the nose 43, the samemodification may be used with a relatively heavy section of metal at the nose.

While the foregoing description has been more or less limited to tuyeres, it will be understood that the same principles are equally applicable to bosh plates, mantle plates, monkeys or other blast furnace apparatus portions which are subjected to the high temperatures of the-interiors of the blast furnaces a'ndwhich are cooled by artificial means.

V From the foregoing, it will, be noted that I have provided a construction for blast furnace units that materially increases the rate at which heat is transferred to the water of the cooling system for such unit and the periods for which such units may be employed without the necessity of removal forinspection or replacement have been greatly increased. The employment of metal of high heat conductivity such, for example, as copper, bronze or other alloy, and the webs or fins, as described, which greatly increase the cooling action of the circulating medium,

permits the use of a relatively heavy massive nose of such thickness that it substantially eliminates danger of the nose being burned or worn away to such extent that water may enter the blast furnace.

The foregoing and other advantages will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of constructing and operating blast furnacesi Iclaim:

- 1. A blast furnace tuyre comprising a body de-' fining an air blast passage and having a relative ly long and massive nose, said body having within its walls a water circulation chamber, a c1os-'- ure for the outer end of said chamber *borne by said body, said closure being provided with water inlet and outlet ports, and aweb-like element of ring shape formed integral with said body and extending from said nose into the adjacent portion of said chamber approximately parallel to the chamber-defining walls; v

2. A blast furnace tuyere of metal of high heat conductivity and comprising a body defining an air blast passage and having within its walls a water circulation chamber, a relatively long and massive nose integral with said body, a plurality of web-like elements provided integral with said body and said nose and projecting rearwardly into the bottom end of said chamber parallel to the axis of said air blast passage and spaced from and parallel to the wallsof said chamber for conducting heat from said body to water circulating in said chamber.

3. A blast furnace tuyere of metal of high heat conductivity and comprising a body defining an air blast passage and having within its walls an annular water circulation chamber, a nose integral with said body, a cover borne by said body in closing relation to the outer end of said chamber and having opening therethrough water inlet and outlet pipes, a web-like member of substantially annular shape provided integral with said body and said nose and protruding outwardly into said chamber from the bottom of the latter and approximately parallel to the walls defining said annular chamber.

4. A blast furnace tuyere comprising a body defining an air blast passage and having a nose portion, said body having within its walls a water circulation chamber, a closure for the outer .end of said chamber borne by said body, said closure being-provided with water inlet and outlet ports, and web-like heat conducting means integral with said body and extending from said nose into the adjacent portions of said chamber for materially increasing the transfer of heat from the nose to the water circulating through said chamber but without defining passages for the circulation of the cooling water.

5. A blast furnace tuyere comprising a body defining an air blast passage and having a nose portion, said body having within its walls a water circulation chamber, a closure for the outer end of said chamber borne by said body, said closure being provided with water inlet and outlet ports, and a web-like element of approximately ring shape formed integral with said body and extending from said nose portion into the adjacent portion of said chamber.

JOHN B. HENRY. 

